Internationally acclaimed Shambhala Music Festival has done it again for its 18th year running: delivering an amazing and one of a kind experience in the scenic Salmo River Ranch in beautiful British Columbia. This sold out four day festival becomes the largest city in the West Kootenay region with over 11,000 festival attendees, including young new festival-goers and experienced veterans. Shambhala has remained king as Canada’s number one destination for electronic music featuring a diverse and inclusive lineup covering several genres. Hell, Canada’s own Zeds Dead delivered a surprise mystery set that was off the charts.

Photo Creds- William Selviz

Over 300 total artists performed this year at Shambhala, with six distinctly designed stages that combined the natural beauty of the environment with mystifying stage craft. At the Pagoda, some of EDM’s biggest names like Pretty Lights, Thomas Jack, Mija, Destructo, Griz, MK, Bakermat, Kygo threw down on stage, with a special performance from Claude Vonstroke and Shiba San as they took over the stage with the rest of the Dirtybird team. Bassheads found their comfort at the Village stage where Skrillex, III. Gates, Datsik, KOAN Sound, Big Gigantic, Excision, Camo & Krooked, dazzled the audience. Sunday featured a Hip Hop Showacase that was headlined by Grouch & Eligh with AMP Live; the innovative and original circus troupe, Lucent Dossier Experience gave a mesmerizing performance to the crowd.

Photo Creds – Leah Gair

The Fractal Forest brought vivacious sets from the likes of Stickybuds, Jillionaire of Major Lazer, Mix Master Mike, AMTRAC, DJ Zinc, JAUZ, Fort Knox Five, Rich-e-Rich, and the Fractal Funk Jam with the Smalltown DJs. The most novel stage, the Grove, blended live art with stunning music from Bonobo, Tipper with incredibly live visuals from Android Jones, Big Wild, Birds of Paradise, Rising Appalachia and Dimond Saints. The almighty Amphitheater included LongWalkShortDock, David Starfire, Morillo, Mr. Carmack, Ana Sia, JOBOT, and G-Jones back to back with Bleep Bloop and Jackal.

Photo Creds – Charlotte Dobre

Throughout the fantastic four days of Shambhala fans enjoyed the cool Salmo River while simultaneously enjoying the music from The Living Room stage, which included sets from Coyote Kisses, BC Dubcats, Breakfluid, Rob Paine, Tipper and an opening and closing ceremony from JoaqoPellli. Attendees were also able to experiment with numerous workshops and movement classes, attending courses on Permaculture or Self Love at the BioDome, in addition to yoga courses offered on the comfy farm grass.

Photo Creds – Leah Gair

As for dining selection, spoiled is an understatement, guests selected from a wide variety of premium food trucks and vendors that included Salmo River Ranch rasied hamburgers and the Canadian classic Poutine from La Poutinerie. If that wasn’t to their fancy, fans could explore the extravagant Artisan Market which displayed art vendors, pop-up shops fused with handcrafted creations from favorites such as Om Booty + Zoltan, Earth Nynja, Kelsey’s Creations, and a unique booth form Simon Halduk.

Photo Creds – Leah Gair

Shambhala have outdone themselves again, combining innovative musical guests, unprecedented cultural combinations, and an intimate atmosphere in beautiful British Columbia. So as next year comes closer, get ready for some more Shambha-love if you didn’t get a chance this time.